黑布林英语渔夫和他的灵魂

TheFishermanandHisSoul

AbouttheBook

TheFishermanandHisSoulisashortstoryfromOscarWilde'scollectionTheHappy

PrinceandOtherTales.Wildewritesthesestoriesforhischildrenin1888.

TheFishermanandHisSoulisthestoryofayoungfisherman.Onedayhecatchesa

mermaidinhisfishingnetandhefallsinlovewithher.Thefishermanlearnshecannotbewiththemermaidbecausehehasahumansoul.Thefishermanthentriestosendawayhishumansoul.Thefishermanlearnsfromawitchhowtosendhissoulaway.Heisthenfreetobewithhismermaid.Hissoulisaloneintheworld.Hetravelstheworld.Eachyearhecomesbacktothefishermanandtellshimabouthistravels.

Oneofthethemesofthestoryistemptation.Inthestorythemermaidtemptsthefishermanwithstoriesofthesea.Thefishermantemptsthewitchtohelphimsendawayhissoul.Andhissoultriestotemptthefishermantoleavethemermaid.

Butthemainthemeofthestoryislove.Loveismoreimportantthananything.Thesoulcannottemptthefishermanbecausethefisherman’sloveistoostrong.Andintheend,wediscoverthatyoucannotlivewithoutlove.

TheFishermanandHisSoulisanexoticstorywithOrientalandEasterninfluences.Therearealsomermaids,witchesanddevils.Thelanguageispoeticandisfullofallegory.

THEMERMAID

EveryeveningtheyoungFishermangoesoutonthesea.Hethrowshisnetsintothewater.Whenthewindblowsfromtheland,hedoesn'tcatchmanyfish.Butwhenthewindblowsfromthesea,hecatcheslotsoffishandhecansellthematthemarket.

OneeveningtheFisherman'snetisveryheavy.Hethinks,'Areallthefishintheseainmynet?Oristhereamonsterinmynet?'Hepullsandhepullshisnet.

Therearenofishormonstersinhisnet.ButthereisalittleMermaidandsheissleeping.

TheMermaid'shairisgolden.Herbodyiswhite.Hertailissilverandpearl.Herearsarelikesea-shellsandherlipsarelikesea-coral.

HerbeautymakestheFishermanveryhappy.Heleansoutoftheboat.HetakestheMermaidinhisarms.Shewakesupwhenhetouchesher.Shecrieslikeaseagullandshewantstoescape.ButtheFishermanholdstheMermaidinhisarms.

‘Pleasefreeme,'theMermaidcries."IamtheonlydaughteroftheKing.Myfatherisoldandalone.‘Makemeapromise,'saystheFisherman."Icanfreeyou.BpleasecomewhenIcallyou.Youcansingtomeandtothefish.Thenmynetscanalwaysbefulloffish."

‘Ipromise,'criestheMermaid.

ThefishermanopenshisarmsandfeesthefrightenedMermaid.Sheswimsdownunderthewater.

Whatisnotapromise?

口Astatementinwhichyousaythatsomethingwilldefinitelyhappen.

口Youwilldefinitelydosomething.

口Youwilldefinitelynotdosomething.

口Youguesssomethingwillhappen.

EveryeveningtheFishermangoesoutonthesea.HecallstheMermaid.Shecomesoutofthewaterandsingstohim.ThedolphinsswimroundandroundtheMermaid.TheseagullsflyroundandroundtheMermaid.

TheMermaidsingsabeautifulsong.ShesingsoftheSea-folkandofthepalaceoftheKing.Shesingsofthegardensoftheseafullofcoralandfish.Shesingsofwhales,sealionsandseahorses.ShesingsofsunkenshipsandofMermaidsholdingouttheirarmstothesailors,callingthemintothesea.

TheMermaidsingsandsings.Allthefishcomefromthebottomoftheseatolistentoher.TheFishermanthrowshisnetsintothesea.Hisnetsandboatarefulloffish.ThentheMermaidstopssinging.ShesmilesattheFishermanandsheswimsbackunderthesea.

EveryeveningtheFishermancallstheMermaid.Andeveryeveningshesingsforhim.Butshedoesnotcomenearhim.TheFishermantriestotouchher.ButsheswimsbackundertheSea.

EveryeveningtheFishermanlistenstotheMermaid.HerSongandhervoicearesweettohisears.AndtheFishermanforgetshisnetsandthefish.Hiseyesarefulloflove.

OneeveningtheFishermancallstotheMermaid.

'LittleMermaid,littleMermaid,|loveyou.CanIbeyourhusband?'hesays.

ButtheMermaidshakesherhead.

'No,'shesays.'Youhaveahumansoul.Icannotloveyouwithyourhumansoul.SendawayyourhumansoulandIcanloveyou.'

TheFishermanthinks,'Ihaveasoul.ButIcannotseeit.Icannottouchit.Idonotneedit.Icansenditaway.ThenIcanbehappywithmylittleMermaid.'

TheFishermanisfullofjoy.Hestandsinhisboat.HeopenshisarmstotheMermaid.

‘Icansendmysoulaway,'hecries."Youcanbemywife'andIcanbeyourhusband.Wecanlivetogetheratthebottomofthesea.Youcanshowmeyourkingdom.Wecanbetogether."

ThelittleMermaidisveryhappy.Shelaughsandhidesherfaceinherhands.

‘HowcanIsendmysoulaway?'criestheFisherman.

'Idonotknow,'saysthelittleMermaidsadly.‘TheSea-folkhavenosouls.’

Thensheswimsbackdownunderthesea.Sheissadnow.

2THEPRIEST

EarlythenextmorningtheFishermangoestothePriest'shouse.

Heknocksthreetimesonthedoor.

Thefishermanentersthehouseandkneelsonthefloor.ThePriestisreading.

'Father,'hesaystothePriest,‘IaminlovewithaMermaid.Icansendmysoulaway.

Mysoulisnotimportanttome.Ithasnovaluetome.|cannotseeit.Icannottouchit.Idonotneedit.’

‘Areyoumad?’repliesthePriest.‘Ofcourseyouneedyoursoul.Godgivesusoursoulstodogoodthings.Humansoulsareprecious.Veryprecious.ForgettheMermaid.TheSea-folkare

lost.Goodandevilarethesameforthem.Theyhavenoplaceinheaven.'

TheFishermanissad.Hehastearsinhiseyes.Hestandsandsays,'Father,IwanttobeoneoftheSea-folk.Idon'twantmysoul.Iwanttobewithmylove.MyMermaidisbeautiful,likethestarsandthemoon.Iloveher,Idon'tneedmysoul.Idon'tneedaplaceinheaven.Helpme.Helpmesendawaymysoul.'

"Goaway!Goaway!'criesthePriest.'Youarelost.LostwithyourMermaid.'

ThePriestsendstheFishermanawayandheshutshisdoor.

Fillintheblank.

Humansoulsareimportantforhumansbecausehumansoulsareprecious/Godgivesusoursoulstodogoodthings.

3THEMERCHANTS

TheFishermanwalkstothemarketplace.Heissad.

Themerchantsinthemarketplaceseehim.Oneofthemerchantsseethefisherman,"Whatdoyouhavetosell?’

‘Mysoul.’answerstheFisherman.'Pleasebuyit.Icannotuseit.Icannotseeit.Icannottouchit.Idonotneedit.’

Butthemerchantslaugh.

‘Wecannotbuyyoursoul,'theysay."Yoursoulhasnovalueforus.Becomeaslaveandwecansellyourbody.Wecandressyouinpurpleandgiveyouaring.YoucanbecomethegreatQueen'sslave.'

'Howstrange,'thinkstheFisherman.'Forthepriestmysoulhasgreatvalue,butforthemerchantsithasnovalue.'Andhewalksaway.Hegoestotheseatothink.

WhydoestheFisherman'ssoulhavenovalueforthemerchants?

Becausethemerchantscannotsellit.

Becausehissoulisverycheap.

Becausethemerchantssellothergoods.

Becausehissouldoesn’thaveapriceinthemarket.

4THEWITCH

LatertheFishermanremembersayoungWitch.Hisfriendknowsher.Sheisgoodatspells.

TheFishermanrunstohercave.

‘Iwantasmallthing,'saystheFisherman.'ThePriestsays“no"andthemerchantslaugh.NowIcometoyou.YoucanhelpmeandIcanpayyourprice.'

'Whatdoyouwant?'askstheWitch.ShecomesneartotheFisherman.

'Iwanttosendmysoulaway,'saystheFisherman.

TheWitchgrowspale.Shehidesherfaceinherbluecloak."Fisherman,Fisherman,'shesays,'Itisterribletosendyoursoulaway.'

TheFishermanlaughs,'Mysoulisnotimportantforme,'heanswers."Icannotseeit.Icannottouchit.Idonotneedit.'

‘Whatcanyougiveme?"askstheWitch.HerbeautifuleyeslookattheFisherman.

‘Fivepiecesofgold’,hesay,"mynets,myhouseandmyboat.Tellmehowtosendmysoulaway.ThenIcangiveyoueverything.'

TheWitchlaughs,‘WithmyspellsIcanhavegoldandsilver.Moneyisnotimportanttome.’

'Ifyoudon’twantgoldorsilver,whatcanIgiveyou?’CriestheFisherman.

TheWitchtouchestheFisherman'shair.Herhandisthinandwhite.'Dancewithme,Fisherman,'Shesays.Sheissmiling.

‘Isthatall?’!askstheFisherman.

'Thatisall,'sheanswers.Shesmilesagain.

‘Wecandanceatsunset,'hesays.'Thenyoucantellmehowtosendmysoulaway.'

Thewitchshakesherhead.

"Whenthemoonisfull,'shesays.ShegoesovertotheFishermanandshespeaksclosetohisear.'Tonightatthetopofthemountain,'shewhispers.

TheFishermanlooksattheWitch.

'Waitformeatthetopofthemountain,underthetree.Whenthemoonisfull,wecandancetogether.'

"Yes,'criestheFisherman.'Tonightwecandance.Itisasmallpriceforme.'

Herunsbacktothetown.Heishappy.

TheWitchwatcheshimleave.Shegoesintothecave.Shelooksinamirror.Sheisangry.

"Whydoeshenotloveme?Iambeautiful,too.WhydoeshelovetheMermaidandnotme?'

WhyistheWitchveryangry?

BecauseshecannotdancewiththeFisherman.

BecausetheFishermanlovestheMermaid,nother.

BecausetheFishermanthinkssheisugly.

BecausetheWitchcandonothingfortheFisherman.

Intheeveningthemoonrisesinthesky.TheFishermanclimbstothetopofthemountain.Hewaitsunderthetree.Heseestheseabelow.Therearefishingboatsonthesea.

Atmidnightthewitchescome.Theyflyintheairlikebats.Theylandonthetopofthemountain.ThentheyoungWitcharrives.Herredhairblowsinthewind.Sheiswearingagolddressandagreenhat.

TheWitchwalkstothetree.ShepullstheFishermanintothelightofthemoon.Theybegintodance.Theydanceanddance.Roundandround.

"Faster,'criestheWitch.'Faster,faster!'

Noweverythingisgoingroundandround.TheFishermanfeelsfrightened.Hefeelsevilintheair.TheWitchandtheFishermanaredancingroundandround.HehearstheWitchlaugh.

Thenadogbarksandthedancersstop.

"Come!"whisperstheWitchtotheFisherman.Hefollowsher.Butfirsthesaystheholyname.

Atthatmomentthewitchesscreamandflyaway.TheWitchwiththeredhairalsotriestogoaway.ButtheFishermanCatchesherandholdsherinhisarms.

Whydothewitchesscreamandflyaway?

Whatishappening?

BecauseincallingtheholynametheFishermanissendingtheir‘evil’spiritsandpowersaway.

'Freeme,'saystheWitch.

'No,'heanswers.'Tellmethesecret.'

'Whatsecret?'saystheWitch.Shefightslikeawildcat.Shewantstobefree.

'Youknow,'hereplies.

Heholdsherinhisarms.Shecannotescape.

'AmInotbeautifullikethedaughterofthesea?'shewhispersclosetotheFisherman'sface.

"Keepyourpromise.Don'tbeafalsewitch,'theFishermansays.

TheWitchgrowspale.

'Asyouwish,'shesays.‘Itisyoursoul,notmine.'

TheWitchgiveshimalittleknife.

‘Whatisthisfor?'theFishermanasks.

TheWitchissilentforafewmoments.Sheisafraid.Thenshesays,'Manhasashadow'.Thisshadowisnottheshadowofyourbody.Itisthebodyofyoursoul.Standontheseashorewiththemoonbehindyou.Thencutawayyourshadowfromyourbody.Cutawayyoursoul'sbody.Sendyoursoulaway.Thenyoursoulcanleaveyou.'

TheFishermanisafraid,too.'Isthistrue?'hesays.

'Itistrue,'shecries.'Butyoucanonlydoitonce.'Sheholdshisknees,andsheiscrying.

TheFishermanpushestheWitchaway.Heputstheknifeintohisbeltandheclimbsdownthemountain.

5THESOUL

TheFishermanclimbsdownthemountain.TheFisherman'ssoulcallstohim,'Don'tsendmeaway.Please,don'tsendmeaway.'

'Youarenotimportanttome,'saystheFisherman.'Goaway.Gowhereyouwant.Myloveiscallingme.'

TheFishermanarrivesattheseashore.Hestandswithhisbacktothemoon.Helooksatthesea.Whitearmsarecallinghim.Hisshadowliesbeforehim.HisshadowisthebodyofhisSoul.

TheSoulspeaksagain,'Sendmeawaywithyourheart.'

'HowcanIlovemyMermaidwithnoheart?'repliestheFisherman.

'Bekind,'saystheSoul.'Givemeyourheart.'

'MyheartisformyMermaid.Go!'

'CanInotalsolove?'theSoultriesagain.

‘Go!Youarenotimportanttome,'criestheFisherman.Hetakesthelittleknifeandhecutshisshadowawayfromhisfeet.

Theshadowrisesandstandsbeforehim.TheshadowisthesamesizeastheFisherman.

‘Go!'saystheFisherman."Idon'twanttoseeyouagain.'

‘No,'repliestheSoul.‘Iwanttomeetyouagain.'

'How?'askstheFisherman."Youcannotfollowmeunderthesea.’

'EveryyearIcancomebacktothisplace,'saystheSoul.‘Icancallyouandyoucancome.'

'OK,'repliestheFisherman.'Icancome.'

TheFishermanjumpsintothewater.TheTritonsblowtheirhornsandthelittleMermaidcomestomeethim.Shekisseshim.Theygodownunderthewater.

TheSoulwatchesonthebeach.Heisallalone.

6THEFIRSTYEAR

ThefirstyearpassesandtheSoulcomesbacktotheseashore.HecallstheFisherman.TheFishermanrisesfromthedeepwaterandsays,‘Whydoyoucallme?’

"Comeandlistentomystory,'saystheSoul.

TheFishermancomesnear.Heliesinthewater.Heleanshisheadonhishandandlistens.

TheSoulbeginshisstory:

IdecidetogototheEast.EverythingintheEastiswise.Itravelforsixdays.OntheseventhdayIcometothelandoftheTartars.Therearelotsofhillsandthelandisdryandhot.Isitunderatreeandwatch.Peoplecomeandgo.ThentheTartarsgoandfight.

Themoonishigh.Iseeafire.Therearemerchantssittingoncarpets.Therearetentsandcamels.Igooverandthechiefmerchantstandsupandtakesouthissword.

'Whoareyou?'heasksme.

'IamaPrince.IamrunningawayfromtheTartars.Idonotwanttobetheirslave,'|answer.

ThemerchanttakesmyhandandIsitbesidehim.Thenaservantbringsmemilkandfood.

UsetheInternettofindoutabouttheTartars.

Whoarethey?

Wheredotheylive?

Inthemorningthecaravanstartsonitsjourney.|rideonared-hairedcamelnexttothechief.Themenofwarwalkwiththeirweapons.Eightymulesfollowuswithallthethingswehavetosell.Therearefortycamelsinthecaravan.

WeleavethelandoftheTartarsandwetraveltomanystrangelands.

Wecometoalandwherethepeoplecursethemoon,Weseegryphonsguardingtheirgoldonwhiterocks,dragonssleepingintheircaves.Wepassmountainswithsnow.Wepassvalleyswithpygmiesshootingarrows.Atnightwehearwildmenbeattheirdrums.

WecometotheToweroftheapes.Weputfruitbeforetheapes.Theydonothurtus.

WecometotheToweroftheserpents.Wegivethemwarmmilkinbowls.Theyallowustopass.

ThreetimesonourjourneywecrosstheriverOxus.WeCrossonraftsofwood.Theriver-horsestrytofightus.Buttheyseecamelsandtheyareafraid.

Wepaymoneytotheguardsofthecities.Buttheydonotopenthedoorsoftheircities.Theythrowbreadandcakesoverthewalls.

Wearriveatvillagesandthepeoplerunawayinfear.

Onourjourneywefightmanybattles.Manypeopleonthecaravandieinbattle.Andmanypeopleonthecaravandieofhunger.Thesurvivorsstarttotalkaboutme.DoIbringbadfortune?Ipickupasnake.ItbitesmebutIdon'tfeelanything.Nowthepeopleareafraidofme.

Afterfourmonthswearriveatthecityoflllelandweknockatthebigmetalgates.Theguardsopenthegatesandwegotothemarketplace.Themerchantsandtheservantsstarttoselltheir

goods.Thepeoplecomeandlook.Onthefirstdaythepriestscomeandbuy.Ontheseconddaythenoblescomeandbuy.Onthethirddaythecraftsmenandslavescomeandbuy.

OnedayIamwalkinginthestreetsofthecity.Icometothetempleofthecity'sgod.Therearepriestsinyellowclothes.Thetempleisrose-redwithbellsontheroof.Isitinfrontofthetemplebyapoolofcoolwater.Apriestcomestome.

'Whatdoyouwant?'heasks.

'Iwanttoseethegod,'Ireply.

"Thegodissleeping,'saysthepriest,

'Tellmewhere,andIcanwatchhimsleep,'Ianswer.

'Thegodisatafeast,’hecries.

'GivemewineandIcandrinkwithhim,'Ianswer.

Thepriestlooksatme,thenhetakesmebythehandandwegointothetemple.

InthefirstroomIseeastatue.Itismadeofebonyanditisthesizeofaman.Thereisarubyonitsforehead.

'Isthisthegod?'Isaytothepriest.

"Thisisthegod,'heanswers.

'Thisisnotthegod!Showmethegod,'Ishout.AndItouchhishandanditbecomessmall.

'CuremeandIcanshowyouthegod,'hesays.

SoIbreatheonhishandanditbecomesnormalagain.Thepriestisafraid.

InthesecondroomIseeanotherstatue.Itismadeofivory.

Itistwice'thesizeofamananditissittingonajadeflower.

'Isthisthegod?'Isaytothepriest.

'Thisisthegod,'heanswers.

'Thisisnotthegod!Showmethegod!'Ishout.AndItouchhiseyesandhebecomesblind.

'CuremeandIcanshowyouthegod,'saysthepriest.

SoIbreatheonhiseyesandhecanseeagain.Nowthepriesisafraid.

Inthethirdroomtherearenostatues.Butthereisaroundmirror.Themirrorismadeofmetalanditisonastonestep.

"Whereisthegod?"Iaskthepriest.

‘Thereisnogod,’heanswers.‘ThisistheMirrorofWisdom.Whenyoulookintoit,youcansee

everythinginheavenandonearth.Butyoucannotseeyourownface.Whenyoulookintothismirror,youcanseeeverythingandyoubecomewise.Nothingishiddenfromyou.TherearelotsofothermirrorsintheworldbutthereisonlyoneMirrorofWisdom.TheMirrorsofWisdomisthegod,andweworshipit.'

Ilookintothemirror,andIseeeverythingonheavenandonearth.Thepriestistellingthetruth.

ThenIdoastrangething.ItakethemirrorandIhidetheMirrorofWisdom.Themirrorisinavalleyaday'sjourneyfromhere.

ThisistheendoftheSoul'sstory.

ThentheSoulturnstotheFishermanandsays,"CanIbecomeyoursoulagain?Icanbecomeyourservant.YoucanhavetheMirrorofWisdomandbecomewise.YoucanhaveWisdom.'

ButtheFishermanlaughs,"Idon'twantWisdom.IwantLove,’hecries.'ThelittleMermaidlovesme.'

'No,'saystheSoul."Wisdomisimportant,too.'

IwantLove,'answerstheFisherman.Hejumpsbackintothesea.

TheSoulgoesaway.Heiscrying.

DoyouthinktheFishermanchooseswell?

Whichonedoyouchoose?WisdomorLove?

7THESECONDYEAR

ThesecondyearpassesandtheSoulcomesbacktotheseashore.

HeCallstheFisherman.TheFishermanrisesfromthedeepwaterandsays,‘Whydoyoucallme?’

‘Comeandlistentomystory,'saystheSoul.

TheFishermancomesnear.Heliesinthewater.Heleanshisheadonhishandandlistens.

TheSoulbeginshisstory:

ThistimeIdecidetogototheSouth.EverythingintheSouthisprecious.Itravelforsixdays.OntheseventhdayIcometothecityofAshter.

Thereareninegatestothiscityandtherearewatch-towersonthewalls.Ineverytowerthereisanarcherwithabowinhishand.Atsunrisehehitsagongwithhisarrow.Andatsunsetheblowsahorn.Itrytoenterbuttheguardsstopme.

'Whatdoyouwant?'aguardasksme.

IamaDervish,'lanswer.'IamtravellingtothecityofMecca.'

TheguardsopenthegatesandIenterthecity.

Insidethecitythereisabazaar.TherearecolouredPaperlanterns.Themerchantssitonsilkcarpets.Theyhavestraightblackbeardsandgoldenturbans.TheysellperfumesfromtheislandsintheIndianSea.Theyselloilsandspices.Theysellsilverbracelets,earringsandrings,alldecoratedwithpreciousstones.TheysellfinewinefromShiraz.Thewineissweet,likehoney.Icanhearguitarsplayinginthetea-housesandtheairsmellssweet.

Inthemarketplacetherearethefruit-sellers.Theysellallkindsoffruit:purplefigs',yellowmelons,redapples,whitegrapes,red-goldorangesandyellow-greenlemons.Iseeanelephant

eatingorangesatastall.Everyoneislookingatitandlaughing.

InAshterthepeoplearestrange.Whentheyarehappy,theygotothebird-sellerandtheybuyabirdinacage.Theyfreethebirdfromthecage.Andtheirhappinessbecomesgreater.Butwhentheyaresad,theytakethorns.Theyhurtthemselveswiththethornsbecausetheydonotwanttheirsadnesstogoaway.

OneeveningImeetsomemen.Theyarecryingachairthroughthebazaar.Itismadeofbamboo.Thewindowshavebeautifulcurtains.Abeautifulwhitefacelooksoutatmeandsmiles.SheisCircassian.ThemenaremovingquicklybutIfollowbehind.Iwanttoseethebeautifulwhitefaceagain.

Theystopatasquarewhitehouse.Thehousehasnowindows.Thereisalittledoor,likethedoorofatomb.TheyknockthreetimesandanArmenianlooksout.Heputsacarpetontheground.

Thewomanstepsout.Sheturnsandsmilesatmeagain.

WhenthemoonrisesIreturntothesameplace.Ilookforthehouse.Butitisnotthere.Idonotseethebeautifulwomanagain.

OnthefeastoftheNewMoontheyoungEmperorleaveshispalacetopray.Hishairandbeardarecoloredwithrose-leaves.Hischeeksarecoveredwithgolddust.Thepalmsofhisfeetand

handsareyellowwithsaffron.

Atsunriseheleavesthepalacewithasilverrobe.Andatsunsethereturnstohispalacewithagoldrobe.Thepeopleinthestreetseehim.Theylieonthegroundandtheycovertheirfaces.

ButIdonot.Istandandlookathim.TheEmperorseesmeandstops.Hewaitsformetoobey.ButIdonotobey.Thepeopletellmetoleavethecity.ButIdonot.

IntheeveningIaminthetea-houseintheStreetofPomegranates.Iamlyingonsoftcushionsonthefloor.TheEmperor’sguardsenter.Theytakemeandtheyleadmetothepalace.Theyclosethedoors.Theyputachainonthedoor.Thereisagreatcourtinside.Thewallsarewhitewithsomegreenandbluedrawings.Thepillarsareofgreenmarbleandthefloorispink.

Icrossthecourt.Twoveiledwomenshoutatmefromabalcony.Buttheguardsmovemeforward.Theyopenagatewegointoagarden.Anightingalesingsfromatree.

Attheendofthegardenthereisalittlepavilion.Twofatmencometomeetus.Astheywalk,theyareeatingsweetsandfruitfromthetrees.TheyandtheguardsleavemeinfrontofthepavilionandIgoin.

TheyoungEmperorislyingonlionskins.Thereisaslavestandingbehindhim.Onatablethereisbigscimitarsword.

TheEmperorseesmeandsays,‘Whoareyou?DoyouknowIamtheEmperorofthiscity?'

ButIdonotanswer.

TheEmperorpointstothescimitarsword.Theslavetakesitandattacksme.Theswordgoesthroughmybody.Butitdoesnothurtme.Theslavefallstothefloor.Heisveryafraid.TheEmperorjumpstohisfeet.Hetriestoattackmebuthecannothurtme,either.

TheEmperorthenkillstheslave.Nowtheslavecannottellanyoneaboutme.

TheEmperorlooksatmeandcries,'Areyouamagician?WhycanInotkillyou?Leavemycity.Icannotbetherulerofthecitywithyouhere.LeavethecityandIcanbetheruler,again.'

"Givemehalfyourtreasure,'Ianswer.'ThenIcanleave.'

TheEmperortakesmebythehand.Wegooutintothegarden.Wepasstheguardandthefatmen.Theylookatmeinfear.

Weenterthepalaceandgotoalargeroom.TheEmperortouchesoneofthewallsanditopens.Wewalkdownacorridorthatislitbymanytorches.Whenwearriveatthecentreofthecorridor,

theEmperorsaysamagicwordandabigstonedooropens.TheEmperorputshishandoverhisfacetoprotecthiseyes.

Inside,theroomisfulloftreasure:pearls,rubies,gold,golddust,opals,sapphires,jade,emeralds…

TheEmperortakeshishandsawayfromhisface.

'Thisismyhouseoftreasure,’hesays.‘Icangiveyouhalfofmytreasure.Icanalsogiveyoucamelsandcameldrivers.Thenyoumustleave.Youcanleavetonight.Leavebeforethesunrises.

‘ldon’twantyourtreasure,’Isay.‘IwanttheIittleringonyourfinger.’

‘ltisonlyapoorring,'hecries.‘Ithasnovalue.Takehalfmytreasureandleavethecity.’

Whatdoyouthinktheringcando?

口Itisaringoflove.

Itisaringofriches.

口Itisaringofnovalue.

口Itisaringofwisdom.

'No,'Ianswer.'Iwantyourring.Iknowthereiswritinginsideit.Iknowitisanimportantring.ItistheRingofRiches.'

TheEmperorisafraidandhesays,'Takeallthetreasureandleavemycity.Takemyhalfofthetreasure,too.’

ThenIdoastrangething.ItaketheRingofRichesandhideit.Theringisinacaveaday'sjourneyfromhere.

ThisistheendcftheSoul'sstory.

"Come,'saystheSoultotheFisherman.'Comewithmetothecave.YoucanhavetheRingofRiches.Youcanhavealltherichesintheworld.Youcanberich.'

ButtheFishermanlaughs,'IwantLove,notRiches,'hecries.'ThelittleMermaidlovesme.'

‘No,’saystheSoul.'Richesareimportant,too.'

'No,IwantLove,'answerstheFisherman.Hejumpsbackintothesea.

TheSoulgoesaway.Heiscrying.

8THETHIRDYEAR

ThethirdyearpassesandtheSoulcomesbacktotheseashore.HecallstheFisherman.Thefishermanrisesfromthedeepwaterandsays,‘Whydoyoucallme?’

'Comeandlistentomytravels,’saystheSoul.

TheFishermancomesnear.Heliesinthewater.Heleanshisheadonhishandandlistens.

‘Iknowacitynotfarfromhere,’saystheSoultotheFisherman.‘Thereisabeautifulgirlthere.Thisgirlcandanceverywell.Shedancesinherbarefeetandwithaveilonherface.Sheisamarvelousdancer.Thiscityisaday’sjourneyfromhere.’

ThefishermanlistenstothewordsoftheSoul.HeremembershislittleMermaidShehasnofeetandshecannotdance.TheFishermanwantstoseethebeautifuldancer.Hethinks,‘Itisonlyaday'sjourneyfromhereandthenIcanreturntomylove.'

TheFishermanlaughsandstandsupinthewater.Hegoestotheshore.Helaughsagainonthebeach.HeholdsouthisarmstohisSoul.HisSoulcriesforjoy.HerunstomeettheFishermanandbecomesonewithhim.TheFishermanseeshisshadowonthesand.HisSoulispartofhim,again.

'Come,followme,'saystheSoul.

TheFishermanandhisSoultravelfast.Theytravelallnightandallday.Theycometoacity.

‘Isthisthecity?’theFishermanaskshisSoul.'Canweseethedancer?’

'No,'answerstheSoul,'thisisanothercity.Butwecanvisitit.'

Theyenterthecity.Theywalkthroughthestreets.Theypassthejewellerysellers.TheFishermanseesasilvercup.

‘Takethesilvercupandhideit,'sayshisSoul.

TheFishermantakesthecup.Hehidesitinhisclothes.Theyleavethecity.

Whentheyarefarfromthecity,theFishermanstops.Heisangry.Hethrowsthecupaway.

‘Whydoyoutellmetotakethecupandhideit?'heaskshisSoul.‘Itisa